RIP 2.25

[zony]

OK... my 2.25 Petrol has gone to meet the Great Slow Spirit here in Monterey, CA... cracked block, head etc.... so time to R&R... Here's what I am thinking with the knowledge that I am not doing this myself... it's not summer yet so I'm willing to help the economy and unfortunately, my bank (CC interest)....

The closest LR shop is West Coast British in the Bay area (http://www.offroadexperience.com/wcb/index.html) and they build 2.25 P and D engines... any experience out there? So here is where I am going...

1. Put in a new or checked out 2.25 Petrol or Diesel through WCB

2. Or if it can be found, a 2.5 NAD as everything I have read on these boards point to that engine as being a simple and wise choice if wanting to bump up.

I'm not interested in driveline changes outside of popping in an OD at the same time. Thoughts... comments... have an engine... a beer... or whiskey?
Thanks...
Zony

[LaneRover]

Is there a reason that you are not also thinking of the 2.5 petrol as a possibility?

Brent

[TeriAnn]

OK... my 2.25 Petrol has gone to meet the Great Slow Spirit here in Monterey, CA... cracked block, head etc.... so time to R&R... Here's what I am thinking with the knowledge that I am not doing this myself... it's not summer yet so I'm willing to help the economy and unfortunately, my bank (CC interest)....

If it weren't for a cracked block a rebuild would be a straight forward way to go.

If it were me and I decided that it was raining too hard in Moss Landing for me to do an outside engine rebuild or if I were in a hurry I'd order a performance rebuilt engine with 9:1 compression & 2.5L cam from British Pacific. They are only about 300 miles South of you right off #5. I'd go down with a trailer & bring the engine back to save big on shipping charges.

I'd take the truck & engine up to Greg Solows Engine Room on River street in Santa Cruz (They are doing work on my TR3 at this moment). The engine room doesn't really have much experience with Series trucks but they are Classic British car specialists and a LR engine swap is really straight forward. I can't see anything they couldn't easily handle on an engine swap.

There is a shop in Capitola that also works on British cars & has experience with the newish coilers. But I do not trust them with either of my cars.

The engine room is closer by far than Livermore and you keep your money in the Monterey bay area.

If you ever notice a British Racing Green Dormobile in the Sand City COSTCO parking lot, it's mine.

[zony]

All... thanks for the replies (a couple of private emails as well)... Lane... a 2.5 P is not out of the question, but truth be told, I'd prefer the stock 2.25 (P or D) as I have like to remain as close to stock as possible... a 2.5 would be nice if I can find one. I have pretty much decided on a Roverdrive as well... and being here on the coast, it's not like we have 70mph roads for the most part (save for when Concourse is in town). Also, living and working at CSU Monterey Bay where we have 4 police jurisdictions (Marina, Seaside, Military, State) makes any thoughts of going fast a non-starter.

TeriAnn... now I know "Elkhorn" + the Slough right? I do believe I have had the pleasure of seeing the famous Dor... and I'll be sure to keep an eye peeled when up there on my monthly tequila fix at Whole Enchilada... thanks much for the info... BTW, your site is excellent. I am familiar with BP having bought gobs of parts in the last year... and I'll be in SC tomorrow and I'll drop by the Room... hopefully my red Zony will be out and about soon.

Thanks again all!

[SafeAirOne]

2. Or if it can be found, a 2.5 NAD as everything I have read on these boards point to that engine as being a simple and wise choice if wanting to bump up.

CORRECTION: ...bump over or maybe a tiny bit down; 2.25Petrol=70hp, 2.5NA diesel=68 horsepower.

Having said that, this is a wonderful, simple engine, and I wouldn't trade mine for a 2.25P.

[zony]

Mark... right... and I neglected to say that I like the idea of being able to use bio-d (we have a good station here in MRY) or even go veggie as I have two Mercedes neighbors who are constantly serving fries
Z

[TeriAnn]

... and being here on the coast, it's not like we have 70mph roads for the most part (save for when Concourse is in town).

Ah the Monterey car week with the historic races in Laguna Secca, the Pebble beach concourse, the big auction, the vintage car accessory & memorabilia sale, and literally dozens of driving tours, marque & club conclaves and car displays. The week when vintage Ferraris, Aston Martins, Maseratis, and Lamborghinis almost outnumber Hondas and Toyotas. I remember one year they had the largest grouping of Ferrari 250 Testarosas ever assembled together in the world.

My Triumph TR3 and I just about live down there for that week. Its like a big slice of heaven for a vintage sports car enthusiast.

TeriAnn... now I know "Elkhorn" + the Slough right?

Elkhorn is an unincorporated area at the back of Elkhorn slough. Dolan rd at the power plant goes right through the middle of Elkhorn on its way to Prunedale (another unincorporated area).

[Walker]

Zony, I have a used 2.25 Petrol with a good block and head (7:1 I think) if you decide to rebuild. I did mine for well under $1800 including parts and machine work. I live in the Fresno area. Email me at bluerover72@yahoo.com.

[zony]

Walker... thanks for the info... dropped you an email.
Zony

[zony]

TerriAnn... quite right about Elkhorn... looked at homes there about 6mo ago... and as a fellow photographer (4x5 also), I have mucked about some back there exploring.... talked to BP and got a quote for a new engine and had a good chat with Keith. Now it's just a question of $$... I hate making decisions based upon money ... grrrr.
Zony

[zony]

On My Way...

Thanks to all for their input... public and private. With patience (or it might be procrastination) I have found my 2.25 turnkey replacement courtesy of friends on Mendo_recce, along with an SIII trans, tyres and rims, and maybe even a Fairey. Even better, a good LR guru to install... although it will be a trip. Thanks BH and TC... and to TerriAnn for suggesting Mendo.

Looking forward to slowing traffic down in Monterey soon!
Marc

[TeriAnn]

Thanks to all for their input... public and private. With patience (or it might be procrastination) I have found my 2.25 turnkey replacement courtesy of friends on Mendo_recce, along with an SIII trans, tyres and rims, and maybe even a Fairey.

So are you buying Brian Horners engine & gearbox? His seems to be in good shape and he wants it gone when Timm drops a V8 into his 88.

[zony]

That's it... went up to Brian's last weekend and got to drive Gonzo... OMG... a synchro 1 and 2! I fell in lust! While a Weber 2bbl wasn't my first choice, it runs very nice on the Pierce and will suit me just fine. I'l end up with lots of misc. parts here and there and at the end of the day I met some good people from Mendo and beyond... looking forward to my first workend.

How's the TR3 coming?
Marc

[TeriAnn]

That's it... went up to Brian's last weekend and got to drive Gonzo... OMG... a synchro 1 and 2! I fell in lust! While a Weber 2bbl wasn't my first choice, it runs very nice on the Pierce and will suit me just fine. I'l end up with lots of misc. parts

Excellent. Since I'm employed by BP I would like to see them pick up an engine order, but Brian is a friend with his heart set on a Timm Cooper engine, drive train, steering and suspension upgrade in three parts. I can understand since my truck got Timm's engine, gearbox & steering upgrade 11 years ago and I've never regretted it once.

Brian's engine & gearbox appears to be in very good condition and he needs the money to help finance the drive train upgrade. I'm glad you can help each other out.

How's the TR3 coming?

For a driver, my TR3 has become my money sink du jour.

She went into the shop for: conversion from peg & worm steering to rack & pinion, figure out and correct uneven front tyre wear, fix front main seal leak and since they need to remove the front valance and radiator to get to the front seal install my new aluminum radiator when reassembling.

So far in addition to the above there has been:

• timing chain worn through the timing cover plate requiring replacement of cover, tensioner, chain & gears
• Uneven tyre wear caused by bent frame. One front wheel was about an inch behind the other. So the frame had to be straightened
• new front suspension bushings (semi expected)
• The paint peeled off the lower inner wing panel next to the four tube exhaust header causing surface rust. The car went to a body shop while everything was off so the inner wing panel could be derusted and repainted
• The head gasket was blown requiring replacement. While the head was off, the exhaust valve seats were recessed requiring exhaust valve seat replacement (intakes & all valves were OK)

It seemed like when anything was removed there was an "Oh my God!" underneath.

With luck she will be home by the end of the week or early next week and out prowling the streets again. My pocket book is taking a major beating on this one.

Considering that for the last 10 years or so of driving all that's been done is tuneups, tyres, oil and new distributor, I guess she is due additional maintenance. And I do push her suspension and drive train hard.